J
japhy
Guest
Yes, and when a Bishop releases authoritative instruction on the architecture of Church buildings, we are beholden to obey. But “Environment and Art in Catholic Worship” and “Built on Living Stones” do not fit that description.
Here is what the USCCB says about EACW:
What is the authority of the document Environment and Art in Catholic Worship?
Environment and Art in Catholic Worship is a 1978 statement of the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy. The purpose of the document is to provide principles for those involved in preparing liturgical space. The committee statement received the approval of the Administrative Committee in keeping with Conference policy. Because the document was not proposed as a statement of the whole conference of Bishops, the full body of bishops was never asked to consider it.
Environment and Art in Catholic Worship does not have the force of law in and of itself. It is not particular law for the dioceses of the United States of America, but a commentary on that law by the Committee for the Liturgy. However, it does quote several documents of the Apostolic See and in that sense it has the force of the documents it quotes in the areas where those documents legislate.
The Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy has appointed a task group to revisit Environment and Art in Catholic Worship. The revised document, entitled Built on [sic] Living Stones, was approved by the full body of Bishops at the November 2000 meeting.
Here is what Built of Living Stones says about itself:
§ 3 § Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship is presented to assist the faithful involved in the building or renovation of churches, chapels, and oratories of the Latin Church in the United States. … While the suggestions and guidelines within the document have been carefully prepared, they are not exhaustive of the subject matter. They are intended to serve as the basis for decision making at the local level and also can become the foundation for the development of diocesan guidelines and legislation governing liturgical art and architecture.
§ 10 § This document has been approved by the bishops of the Latin Church of the United States and issued by the authority of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops on November 16, 2000. Built of Living Stones contains many of the provisions of universal law governing liturgical art and architecture and offers pastoral suggestions based upon the experience of the last thirty-five years. The document presents guidelines that can serve as the basis for diocesan bishops to issue further guidelines and directives for their dioceses. Where the document quotes or reiterates norms from liturgical books and the Code of Canon Law, those prescriptions are binding on local communities and dioceses.
BLS is also not particular law (however good its suggestions may be!) and only has force of the documents it quotes where it quotes them. It offers “guidelines” and “pastoral suggestions” that can serve as the starting point of diocesan legislation.
